TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Draft 2025 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
BRIEFING ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a report on the Draft 2025 Federal and State Advocacy Programs.
Staff Contact:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The annual state and federal advocacy programs help the District track regional, state and federal legislation to ensure alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan and the specific goal of having strong public and policymaker support. Policy decisions at all levels of government can positively or negatively affect District operations and as such are important to track and influence as needed.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Every year the AC Transit Board of Directors adopts advocacy programs to provide guidance for the District’s activities in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California that influence transit legislation, appropriations, and administrative matters at the state and federal levels. The attached draft programs for 2025 address ongoing efforts as well as developing topics for the coming year. The Legislative and Community Affairs Department solicited input from District executives and staff to develop the attached federal and state advocacy programs. The draft program was presented to the General Manager’s Access Committee (GMAC) on September 10, 2024. Draft programs were also distributed to external advocacy groups and the District’s public transit and funding partners to solicit feedback. Staff recommends minor additions and modifications to the programs as they were overhauled and streamlined in 2024, to ensure the strategic documents provide the District greater flexibility in pursuing its policy and funding goals.
Board approval of the 2025 Federal and State Advocacy Programs will be requested at the November 13, 2024, Board meeting.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Receiving this report will allow the Board to gain information on the recommended 2025 State and Federal Advocacy Programs ahead of the request to formally approve. There are no disadvantages.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
This report is provided based on the District’s current priorities.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 23-420: 2024 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft 2025 State Advocacy Program
2. Draft 2025 Federal Advocacy Program
3. 2024 Federal Advocacy Program
4. 2024 State Advocacy Program
Prepared by:
Maria Henderson, External Affairs Representative
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Aimee Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer